What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
computative
Example
The teacher asked the students to do some computative exercises on paper. [computative: adjective]
Example
He was able to do the math problem in his head using computative skills. [computative: noun]
computational
Example
The computational power of modern computers has revolutionized many industries. [computational: adjective]
Example
She is pursuing a degree in computational biology to study the intersection of biology and computer science. [computational: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Computational is more commonly used than computative in academic and technical contexts, while computative is less common and used mainly in everyday situations that require basic math skills.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between computative and computational?
Computational is generally more formal than computative due to its association with computer science and technical fields.